I say Sea of Japan, You Say East Sea
(1) Japan and South Korea have been disputing the name of the sea bordering Japan, Russia, North Korea and South Korea for many years. (2) The countries of Japan, Russia, North Korea, and South Korea are all part of Asia, the world’s largest continent.(3) Japan wants the sea to be known as the Sea of Japan. (4) South Korea adamantly proposes that the sea be called the East Sea, or the Korean Sea, or the Sea of Korea. (5) The North Korean Government supports South Korea's efforts but refers to this sea as the East Sea of Korea. (6) The countries involved in this dispute are using old maps to support their arguments. (7) The South Korean groups argue that the historically correct name of the sea is the Sea of Korea, or the East/Oriental Sea. (8) They say that it was renamed when imperial Japan occupied Korea and forced the Koreans to give up their native language. (9) Japan claims that the name Sea of Japan became established during Japan's isolationist period.
(10) Both groups involved offer geographical arguments. (11) Japan argues the fact that the sea is separated from the Pacific Ocean by Japan. (12) South Korea says that the adjective east describes the position of the sea, which is east of Asia. (13) Japan also argues that the name East Sea leads to confusion with the translation of names of other seas, places, and groups. (14) Some examples of possible confusion are the East Sea of China, the East Sea Fleet, and the East Sea Bridge.
(15) The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) has not made a decision on which name to publish in future documents. (16) The United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names (UNCSGN) has left the topic open for discussion. (17) The UNCSGN continues to use the name Sea of Japan. (18) The UN has decided to use the most widely known name, which is the Sea of Japan. (19) The name Sea of Japan is used in the 2007 edition of Encyclopedia Britannica and by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN).
10
Which sentence would best conclude the last paragraph?
A.
One has to wonder why the country of Japan and the country of South Korea would make such a fuss over the name of a sea.
B.
If I were in charge of deciding what to call the sea, I would flip a coin.
C.
Some publishers and organizations have not made a decision on which name to use, but Sea of Japan is most widely used.
D.
Maybe, the best name for the sea is the East Sea of Japan.